CHICAGO – Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone was not a “Fight of the Year” candidate.

But it might be a “Knockout of the Year” candidate for Pettis, who likely sealed the next shot at the lightweight belt with a first-round TKO win.

The lightweight was part of the UFC on FOX 6 main card, which took place Saturday at United Center in Chicago following prelims on FX and Facebook.

Pettis, who previously saw a title shot slip through his hands after transitioning from the now-defunct WEC to the UFC, immediately implored his bosses to give him the opportunity after his latest win.

“Dana White, what do I have to do for this title shot?” Pettis said to the UFC president in his post-bout interview.

“Showtime” found success with a counter right hand in early exchanges before planting an arm for a flashy spinning kick. The attacks gave the stiff Cerrone a measure of pause, which encouraged Pettis to go on the attack.

A pair of vicious kicks to the body got Cerrone’s attention, and Pettis even modified his signature “Showtime” kick to crack “Cowboy” with a knee to the jaw.

But it was another kick to the body that proved to be too much for Cerrone, who dropped to the mat with a shin to the liver. Follow-up punches from Pettis were academic.

The official time of the stoppage was 2:35 of the first round.

Pettis (16-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC), who three years ago took the WEC lightweight belt from current UFC champ Benson Henderson, decided against waiting for a title shot when previous champ Frankie Edgar and then-contender Gray Maynard fought to a draw. He then lost a decision to Clay Guida, which derailed his title aspirations.

But Pettis has now earned three straight wins, which puts him within spitting distance of Henderson, who next meets Gilbert Melendez at UFC on FOX 7 in April.

Cerrone (19-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC), meanwhile, goes back to the drawing board after besting Melvin Guillard and Jeremy Stephens in his previous two outings.

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